Known since its start in the 1970s as general aviation airport TKI, the facility will now be known to passengers as DTX, said Ken Carley, aviation director.

“TKI is still our FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] three-letter code,” Carley said. “The IATA [International Air Transport Association] assigned DTX as the code after Avelo applied.”

Houston-based Avelo, which already serves Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), said it will begin service to McKinney with Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft flying nonstop to Las Vegas (LAS) and four cities in Florida: Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA).

In announcing its schedule, budget carrier Avelo [rhymes with yellow] said certain introductory one-way tickets purchased before the end of Friday, July 31, would be priced at $99 and each passenger would be allowed one free checked bag.

The discount fare applies only to specific travel dates and fees will be charged for additional checked luggage, the airline said.

Avelo’s flights from DFW and Houston’s two airports, Hobby (HOU) and George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), connect to more than 30 other destinations through its hub in New Haven, Connecticut (HVN).

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Detective Alexandra Waters, a police public information officer, said the Criminal Investigations Division arrested Zachary Christian Neu on Thursday, June 4, on a second-degree felony charge alleging soliciting prostitution or other activity with a payor person under the age of 18.

Waters said Neu, a 32-year-old Richardson resident, was accused of offering to buy alcohol and lingerie for a recent 2026 Wylie East graduate “in exchange for sexual conduct.” 

Police later identified a second victim after executing a search warrant on Neu’s personal devices, Waters said in a Friday, June 5, release. 

“Neu is also being charged with improper relationship between educator and student,” Waters said. Court records show he was transferred Friday to the Collin County Detention Center, where he was held on two bonds totaling $1.5 million. No attorney for his case was noted.

Wylie Independent School District said Neu was hired as a science teacher at Wylie East HS in August 2017, promoted to dean of students in July 2024 and then assistant principal in January 2026.

“His employment with the district ended today,” April Cunningham, chief communications officer for WISD, said after police announced Neu’s arrest.

In a letter to Wylie East parents, WISD Superintendent Kim Spicer said the district had been cooperating with police.

“While I am limited in the details I can provide due to the ongoing criminal investigation, I want to be absolutely clear — the allegations being investigated are serious and wholly inconsistent with the standards we expect of our employees,” Spicer said.

“Educators hold positions of authority and are entrusted with tremendous responsibility,” she said. “As adults, they are expected to exercise sound judgment and understand that they are responsible for maintaining appropriate boundaries and relationships with students at all times.”

The superintendent said district employees should never engage in private communication with a student through personal social media or other unofficial channels. 

“Electronic communication between students and staff should occur only through official district platforms, such as district email or Wylie ISD Connect (ParentSquare),” Spicer said. “These rules exist to protect students and staff, maintain transparency, and ensure accountability.”

She thanked the graduate and their family for reporting their concerns to law enforcement. 

“Speaking up when something feels wrong takes courage, and their actions allowed the matter to be investigated quickly,” she said.

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“Demand is strong for the record-setting launch of school choice in Texas,” Hancock said. The program is being administered by the comptroller’s office and Odyssey, a tech contractor based in New York.

The Texas Education Freedom Account program was created last year by Senate Bill 2. It allows eligible families to establish a trust-style account funded by the state and request payments for a wide range of education-related costs. 

They include private school tuition and fees, online education programs, textbooks, academic assessments, tutoring, transportation to educational providers, industry-based credential programs and certain educational therapies not covered by Medicaid or private insurance. 

More than 2,200 schools have signed up to participate. Families did not need to select a school when they apply, and more schools will join the program on a rolling basis.

Funding for the program comes from a dedicated account within the state’s general revenue fund. Lawmakers capped total program spending for the 2026–27 biennium at $1 billion, enough to serve up to 90,000 students statewide. 

The standard award is approximately $10,000 per student, while students with disabilities may receive up to $30,000. 

No more than 20% of the funding may go to students from households earning more than 500% of the federal poverty level, roughly $160,000 for a family of four. According to preliminary figures, 29% of applications as of March 8 were  at that level. 

The largest number of applications — 36% — were from families earning two to five times the poverty level and families below 200% of the poverty level made up 35% of applications. 

The comptroller’s office said 79% of applicants planned to be in private schools for the next school year and more than 20,000 applications were for pre-kindergarten pupils and more than 15,000 for kindergarteners. Eleven percent of all applications were for students with disabilities, the report showed.

The Houston education service center region had by far the largest number of applications, more than 38,000, with Region 10 in the Dallas area second with more than 28,000.

If applications exceed available funding, the state will use a lottery system. Certain students are prioritized by law, with students with disabilities placed at the top of the list. 

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Dr. Qian Wang of Murphy has made several startling discoveries as he travels the globe to broaden scientific knowledge of how people and their cultures evolved.

A paleoanthropologist, Wang is a professor in biomedical sciences at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas.

His published research has included a woman’s skull with a toxic bright red mineral painted on her teeth and a study of skeletal remains showing the practice of intentionally deforming infant skulls continued at one site for 7,000 years.

Wang initiated Global History of Health Project – Asia Module in 2018, an international collaborative effort that aims to learn more about ancient humans and how their health varied through environmental and social changes. That includes examining skeletal collections from China, Japan, Mongolia, India and other countries. 

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Election results remain unofficial until votes are canvassed by the political parties.

With all 86 county vote centers reporting, 199,606 ballots were cast, producing turnout of 26.26%, Collin County Elections reported. That compares with turnout of just over 19% in the March 2024 primaries and 69% in the November 2024 general election that included presidential candidates.

Election Day voting drew about 63,000 voters, roughly half the number who cast ballots during early voting.

Collin County Elections reported 103,850 Republican ballots and 95,756 Democratic ballots, meaning Democratic voters accounted for about 48% of the two-party primary turnout. In the March 2024 primary, Democratic ballots made up only 26% of the total.

Republicans statewide will return to the polls in May to decide the U.S. Senate contest between Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Paxton outpolled Cornyn 41% to 40% in Collin County, but Cornyn edged Paxton by a similar margin in statewide balloting.

Cornyn is seeking a fifth term to the Senate seat previously held by Lyndon B. Johnson, John Tower and Phil Gramm. President Donald Trump has said he will make an endorsement in the race.

The winner of the May 26 GOP runoff will face State Rep. James Talarico, who defeated Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary.

In local elections, 3rd District Congressman Keith Self took more than 80% of the vote in his GOP primary contest with political newcomer Mark Newgent. 

“I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust placed in me once again by the voters in Congressional District 3,” Self said. “This isn’t just a win for our campaign; it is a clear mandate for the conservative values we hold dear.”

Self will face Democratic candidate Evan Hunt in the Nov. 3 general election.

State Rep. Jeff Leach defeated challenger Matt Thorsen 64% to 35% in the Republican primary for Texas House District 67.

In District 89, Rep. Candy Noble defeated Jeff Forrester 52% to 40%, while Rep. Angie Chen Button won 70% of the vote against Chad Carnahan in the GOP primary for District 112.

Leach thanked supporters and donors following his victory.

“Your belief in our message and mission, your hard work, and your faith in the future of our great state inspired and fueled me,” he said. “This victory belongs to each of you.”

Noble thanked volunteers, poll workers and election officials.

“What a privilege it is to live in America,” she said.

Leach’s November opponent is Jordan Wheatley, who took 57% of the vote against Emeka Eluka in the Democratic primary for District 67. Noble will face Democratic candidate Angie Carraway, and Zach Herbert is the Democratic challenger to Button.

Incumbent Collin County Judge Chris Hill received 78% of the vote against former Plano Councilmember Rick Grady and will face Democrat John R. “Buster” Brown in November.

“Thank you, Collin County!” Hill said in a social media post. “We all share this victory together, and I am honored to serve you and your families.”

Michael Slaughter, a former Parker councilmember, is the apparent successor to retiring Precinct 2 Collin County Commissioner Cheryl Williams. Slaughter was unopposed in the GOP primary and there was no Democratic candidate.

For the Precinct 4 seat on the Commissioners Court, November’s matchup will be between two former Plano City Council members. Shelby Williams edged Woody Huffines with just over 50% of the vote and will face Julie Holmer, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Collin County Elections Administrator Kaleb Breaux said final election results will be submitted to both political parties at the county level. Each party will canvass the results and submit them to the state.

According to Secretary of State Jane Nelson, the state chair must canvass county election returns by Sunday, March 15, for races with three or more candidates. The state canvass for remaining offices must be completed by Wednesday, March 25.

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Final, unofficial voting totals from Collin County Elections.

RESULTS ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL FINAL VOTES ARE CANVASSED

                                             TOTAL                 VOTE%

In the GOP primary for 3^rd District Congress

Keith Self                           48,161                  81.61%

Mark Newgent                   10,853                  18.39%

In the GOP primary for Texas House District 67

Jeff Leach                           11,955                  64.27%

Matt Thorsen                     6,646                    35.73%

In the GOP primary for Texas House District 89

Candy Noble                      10,508                  52.75%

Jeff Forrester                     8,053                    40.42%

In the GOP primary for Collin County Judge

Chris Hill                            67,155                  78.31%

Rick Grady                         18,601                  21.69%

In the GOP primary for Collin County Commissioners Court Pct 4

Woody Huffines                               10,788                  49.57%

Shelby Williams                               10,974                  50.43%

RESULTS ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL FINAL VOTES ARE CANVASSED

Winners in the primaries advance to the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election.

Voters will decide top Texas leadership, all 150 seats in the state house, 16 state senate positions and a variety of county jobs. 

At the federal level, all 38 Texas seats in Congress will be up for grabs as well as the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican John Cornyn.

After nearly 24 years in Washington, Cornyn faces GOP challenges by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Houston Congressman Wesley Hunt, Sara Canady and John O. Adefope. 

Democrats will choose between Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett of Dallas, State Rep. James Talarico of Austin and Ahmad R. Hassan.

After two terms in the U.S. House, 3rd District Congressman Keith Self faces Mark Newgent in the GOP primary. The Democratic candidate is Evan Hunt. Brittany Black is running as an independent. 

At the state level, Gov. Greg Abbott faces challengers in his GOP primary including Arturo Espinosa, Pete “Doc” Chambers, Evelyn Brooks, Kenneth Hyde, Mark V. Goloby, Ronnie Tullos, Nathaniel Welsh, Stephen Samuelson, Charles Andrew Crouch and R.F. “Bob” Achgill.

Democrats will select their own gubernatorial candidate from among Patricia Abrego, Chris Bell, Bobby Cole, Carlton W. Hart, Gina Hinojosa, Jose Navarro Balbuena, Zach Vance, Angela “Tiaangie” Villescaz and Andrew White.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is opposed by fellow Republicans Esala Wueschner, Perla Muñoz Hopkins and Timothy Mabry. Vicki Goodwin, Courtney Head and Marcos Isaias Velez have filed for the Democratic primary.

With Paxton running for the U.S. Senate, Republicans seeking to succeed him include Joan Huffman, Mayes Middleton, Aaron Reitz and 21st District Congressman Chip Roy.

Democrats seeking the nomination for attorney general are Anthony “Tony” Box, Joe Jaworski and Nathan Johnson.

District 67 State Rep. Jeff Leach is opposed in the Republican primary by Matt Thorsen. Emeka Eluka is the Democratic contender.

District 89 State Rep. Candy Noble is opposed for the GOP nomination by Freddie America and former Wylie Councilmember Jeff Forrester. The winner will face Democrat Angie Carraway.

District 112 State Rep. Angie Chen Button faces GOP opposition from Perry E. Barker Sr., Chad Carnahan and Tina Price. Zach Herbert is the Democratic candidate.  

On the Collin County Commissioners Court, incumbent Chris Hill is opposed for County Judge by fellow Republican Rick Grady, a former city councilmember from Plano. The Democratic candidate is John R. Buster Brown.

Two seats on the commissioner’s court are open with the pending retirement of Cheryl Williams from Precinct 2 and Duncan Webb in Precinct 4.

Republican Michael Slaughter, a former Parker councilmember, is running for Precinct 2 and the GOP primary for Precinct 4 is between Woody Huffines and Shelby Williams, a former Plano councilmember and Collin County Republican chair. 

Julie Holmer, a former Plano city councilmember, is the sole Democrat seeking Place 4.

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Texas families began applying last week for the new education savings account program that allows parents to direct public funds toward private schooling and other approved learning expenses.

The Texas Education Freedom Account program, created by Senate Bill 2 last year — also referred to as a school voucher plan — allows eligible families to establish a state-funded account and request payments for a range of education-related costs. Applications opened Feb. 4 and will be accepted online through March 17 at EducationFreedom.Texas.gov.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock said the application process is designed to be simple and mobile-friendly, with most families able to complete it in less than 15 minutes..Texas.gov.

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Police and fire chiefs from Murphy, Sachse and Wylie have told business leaders that crime and safety challenges routinely cross city boundaries and require constant collaboration among agencies. They also urged employers to view public safety departments as partners rather than just emergency responders.

The chiefs spoke Thursday, Feb. 5, at a luncheon at the Murphy Activity Center sponsored by the chambers of commerce in the three cities.

Murphy Police Chief Jeff Gibson said the most frequent calls for service from Murphy businesses were not violent crimes but traffic-related incidents. 

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All 17 members of a federal appeals court in New Orleans have heard arguments in two cases challenging laws requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in classrooms.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is considering a Texas case stemming from last year’s legislative passage of Senate Bill 10 (SB 10) and a similar law, House Bill 71, from the state of Louisiana.

There was no indication when the court would rule, but it was expected the decision would be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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